Coping with Judas : a narrative analysis of the portrayal of Judas Iscariot in the New Testament

Abstract

Why does the encounter with Judas Iscariot in the New Testament present such a challenge? Judas’ character has been debated ever since the time of the early Christian church. Was he a thief and betrayer, a victim of God’s predestination, or vilified by the early church? The following dissertation will attempt to add a voice to the debate about Judas by offering a narrative perspective on his character by asking: How is Judas Iscariot portrayed in the New Testament narratives? What do these portrayals reveal about the different narratives’ understanding of his character?